Monday, March 26, 2012

Beer battles, special dinners and a speakeasy: a look ahead in food and drink

The next month is shaping up to be quite busy on the food and drink scene.

Early warning: This event will sell out, so get your tickets soon if you want to be among the lucky 100.

Here's a rundown of soon-to-go-down events, plus a look a little further out at some events that will likely sell out, should you care to plan early.

Plus, I've tossed in a little food news up front. Here goes:

• GoWaiter, a national chain with 22 locations, launched a Colorado Springs delivery service last week, via local franchisee Patricia Sisson. The service charges a "minimal fee" for delivery or catering from 14 different area outfits currently (see a full list on their website, plus zip codes currently served).

• Nourish Organic Juice is now offering juice cleansing or monthly juice delivery to 80903 and through 80901 zip codes, with more to follow. Click below to see the array of available cleanses.

• For all of April atJake and Telly's Greek Taverna, get a Greek burger (with Ranch Foods Direct beef) or veggie burger with a side and a pint of Bristol Brewing Company beer for $10 — $7 off the normal price.

• Two credits here to The Gazette, for news on some chain restaurant happenings: the first on a string of new openings to hit the University Village shopping center, including a new Il Vicino location; the second on a new Chick-fil-A kiosk that has apparently opened inside the Alamo building downtown.

• Another Pint will host its next Meet the Brewer night with Odell Brewing Co.'s co-founder Doug Odell, at 7 p.m., Friday, March 30. Guests pay by the pint for everything from Myrcenary to 90 Shilling, with special pours of the new Footloose Golden Sour and Shenanigans.

- Footloose Golden Sour – Barrel aged with Brettanomyces and lactobacillus, this sour brings forth big fruit flavors of pineapple and citrus. Tropical aromas, coupled with a tart finish and slight hints of vanilla from the oak barrel make for a unique and refreshing beer. (8% ABV)

- Shenanigans - This delightful crimson ale is aged in oak with just a touch of Brettanomyces. The subtle Brett tartness balances the rich amber malt with hints of dried fruit and light citrus. Our ode to the happy accident, Shenanigans was just too good not to share. (9.1% ABV)

• And the following day, Saturday, March 31 at 4 p.m., Focus on the Beer will host its inaugural Battle of the Brewers competition at Brewer's Republic. Entry to sample the eight feature beers are only $5.

Here's how it'll all go down:

We have invited eight local breweries to compete against one another using randomly selected ingredients that we pulled out of a hat! We have used a bracket system so that one brewery is matched up against one other brewery, both producing a beer using the same two ingredients (such as molasses and peaches). The fun part comes when you, our lovely beery readers, will do a blind judging of the beers. March 31 will be Round 1, we will announce the winners of the public vote, announce the date for the next round, and select the random ingredients again right there at the bar for all to see!

So, be sure to be at Brewer's Republic at 4 p.m. on March 31. For $5 you will get eight beers in sample glasses and you will get a judge. We are limited to only five gallons of each beer, so it will go quickly. Also we are dividing the eight beers into two brackets: Bracket One will be served at 4 p.m. and Bracket Two will be served at 5 p.m. Here are the brackets, breweries, and random ingredients:

• Café 36 will host an Orin Swift wine dinner on April 3. Click the menu below to see it full size and call the cafe for times and pricing:

• Slow Food Colorado Springs will host an event from 5:30 to 7:30, Wednesday, April 4 in Colorado College's McHugh Commons. A $5 donation is suggested to cover food costs and there will be a cash bar.

In their words, here's the event description:

Come hear what's happening in join in the fun: Andy Nowak (Youth Farmers Markets, Farm to School) , Rick Hughes (Colorado Springs District 11 Food and Nutrition Services , Farm to School) Beth Gentry (Bon Appetit at Colorado College, Peak to Plains Alliance) will share their successes and challenges with getting local food and gardens into schools and give you ideas for how you can get involved. Email info@slowfoodcoloradosprings.org for more information.

• From 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 7, Bristol Brewing Company will host a Prohibition Party. Here's the setup (no joke):

Knock on the door at the end of the hallway and give the password "Volstead." You'll enter a speakeasy from 1925, complete with beer brewing in a claw foot bathtub, 33¢ Yellow Kite Summer Pils, and great prizes for best dressed man, woman and group. Costumes are required for entry. Keep your wits about you in case we get raided!

• That same day, this time from 7 to 9:30 p.m., catch the eighth annual Fork & Bottle at the Colorado Springs School Historic Trianon, in benefit of theRuth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School. Tickets are $55 a couple or $30 per person in advance, or $35 at the door, for live music, wine samples and apps and desserts from local restaurants and caterers.